Reason why Petr Cech wears a different shirt number in ice hockey than he did for Chelsea

CHELSEA legend Petr Cech has chosen a distinct shirt quantity after crossing over from soccer to ice hockey.

Cech swapped the pitch for the rink shortly after stepping down because the Blues' technical director in June when Todd Boehly took over from Roman Abramovich.

Petr Cech loved a shocking profession as a Chelsea and Arsenal legendCredit score: Information Group Newspapers Ltd

Petr Cech has crossed over from soccer to ice hockey after his retirementCredit score: Getty

Petr Cech has chosen a distinct shirt quantity in his new professionCredit score: Getty Photos - Getty

The legendary goalkeeper started a contemporary chapter in his profession by changing into the Chelmsford Chieftains' new goaltender on the age of 40.

However the Czech hero opted to drop his iconic No1 shirt, which he donned at Rennes, Chelsea and Arsenal.

Now Cech wears the No39 shirt.

He does so in homage to legendary Czech goaltender Dominik Hasek, who was also called The Dominator.

That quantity has a particular which means for the Prem legend, who would lower out articles about his favorite goalies, together with Hasek, from the age of six so as to add to a fats scrapbook.

The four-time Premier League champion insists he nonetheless "loves" soccer, which is why he's additionally engaged on his teaching badges.

However the former Czech Republic worldwide can be dwelling a childhood dream as an ice hockey participant.

Cech advised the Mail: "After I was a child, I needed to be an ice hockey participant.

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"For some cause while you see the goalies with the gear, the pads, the gloves, it resonated with me.

"Do not get me fallacious, I really like soccer. However by way of enjoying, I felt being an ice hockey goalie was extra enjoyable.

"However as a household, we could not afford to purchase all of the tools – the stick, the pads, helmet, gloves, every part. It was tremendous costly.

"So my dad [Vaclav] took me to soccer. The timing collided and in the long run, soccer received."